Toby Melville Brown, a UK-based illustrator mapping the world with intricate detail and boundless creativity
Toby Melville-Brown is an illustrator based in medieval Rye, UK. On graduating with a major in car design, Toby decided he didn’t want to contribute to car production, choosing instead to channel his creativity into illustration. Known for his intricate, isometric drawings and process-driven approach to world-building, Toby has a unique style which led him to exciting collaborations, including a high-speed project with Nike for a Roger Federer-themed installation, where he illustrated 60 ping pong bats in just seven days!
Toby shares with us his inspirations, his passion for social causes and for education, and his ambition to keep on mapping iconic places.
What would you say is your best piece of work/collaboration to date, and why?
I’m going to name two. The first one is commercial and is about the time I was asked to illustrate onto 60 ping pong bats in just 7 days! It was madness but we did it. As you may know, The Art of Ping Pong is a brilliant outfit that produces beautifully designed table tennis products. I was invited onboard for the brands first commercial collaboration with Nike - who wanted a Roger Federer-themed installation to celebrate their new collaboration with the tennis legend. I was chosen for my intricate isometric ‘site map’ style drawings. And yes, they wanted 60 in 7 days. It was an high-octane and exhilarating mission and I’m so pleased to say I was able to present the work to the Mr. Federer in time for the product launch - (check my site for pics )
The second is self-directed. Lockdown was a unique time when many people were in the same situation. Tragically for some, that meant the heightened threat of domestic violence. In an effort to shine a light on this, I did a project raising money for Refuge - a specialist charity for women and children experiencing DV. Life Indoors asked my digital community to send a picture of themselves in within their home. Each photo was then illustrated into a large drawing of an imaginary apartment bloc. The implied rhetoric; that we’re all neighbours, all looking out for one another. I drew 70+ participants into the artwork. I then sold prints of the drawing, with all profits going the charity. We raised £7K+.
Where do you go for inspiration?
Moving is good for me. This can be either by cycling, driving or sitting on a train. But best of all, is walking. Specifically on Sundays. Something about a gentle solo stroll after the intensity of a working week and a social Saturday, provides my brain with the right amount of material to just imagine.
What would I be a good advocate for?
Education is very important to me. Last year, I worked at a local state secondary school. It wasn't easy. The challenges are well documented; the fallout from Covid, a staffing crisis and of course, social media. All these things conspire to make the classroom a bewildering place for both student and teacher. It goes without saying that there are so many worthy causes that we should herald but yes, good education is something I would personally advocate for. And I hope to continue to engage in the education system through creative workshops accessible to all. Past workshop participants include; Folkestone’s Refugee Community, Brighton University Students, and Folkestone Academy Students. I am currently in talks with The Big Draw Festival to create some exciting events (The Big Draw was set up by an arts education charity of the same name with the aim of promoting visual literacy)
What sets me apart from other illustrators?
This one’s tricky for me to answer. So I asked someone that knows me well and they said: “Toby’s very process-led. There’s a retelling of reality through careful observation and expert draftsmanship. He sees the world differently than most and has a great level of curiosity for the world around him."
What do people come to me for?
Currently, lots of maps. I’m very happy about this. They’re the perfect demonstration of my interests; world building, architecture and the conveyance of something larger with clarity and cleanliness. Such examples include projects for; Battersea Power Station, The Imperial War Museum, and The Crown Estate.
Give an example of a project that would mean the world to me?
To map the Gardens of Versailles! I love the iconography and myth-building of Louis XIV - Le Roi Soleil! Those gardens are stupendous. I love the daft but grandiose effort to de-wild nature. Straight lines, flawless topiary and golden spirals.
Are you working on any personal projects?
Mapping Symbols. In May 2024, I went to Athens to map the symbols of the city. By symbols I mean; signage, motifs, graffiti - any cultural markings. I explored the city by foot, photographed the symbols and drew them onto a map, to create an impression of the metropolis through its cultural markings. I really enjoyed creating my Athens map. So, 3 months later, I made a map of Liverpool. It’s such a joy to walk around, with eyes wide open, allowing the city to offer an almost endless array of visual treats. My only task is to select which icons to include and draw them onto the map. Following my Liverpool map, I’ve got the bug and am now plotting my next city.
If I were to illustrate a book related to a real-life person, who would it be?
Catherine The Great. Russia is a country I have great affection for. I travelled across it by train in 2014. I hope to go back but I understand that won’t be for a while. It captivates me with excitement and sorrow in equal measure. Though not Russian-born, what I love about Catherine is her defiance, ingenuity, and imagination. The story of a female outsider, steering the largest country in the world onto a radically different path, is something I would love to depict.
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